While their signs showed their discontent with President Donald
Trump's executive order to halt immigration from seven Middle Eastern
countries, the protesters at Dulles International Airport conveyed nothing but
welcome for the hundreds of travelers who arrived there Jan. 30.

Reports that immigrants were being detained in airports around
the country without access to legal representation caused lawyers, translators
and supporters to flock to Dulles in the days following the temporary refugee
ban.

They held “Welcome Home” balloons, handmade signs and cheerfully
greeted every traveler as they arrived in the baggage claim area. Though
information from Customs and Border Patrol was not readily shared with the
protesters, CBP relayed to Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, that as of that morning,
no one was being detained.

Hytham Bakir and JoAnne Kosta came to Dulles hoping to translate
for any Arabic speakers. Though their services proved unneeded, as with many
others, they stayed to show their support for immigrants. Protesters felt that
stopping previously vetted immigrants from coming into the country was unfair
and unnecessary, and revealed an animus toward Muslims.

“(This is) not what this country stands for,” said Katie Leggett,
a lawyer and parishioner of St. Mary Church in Alexandria. “Everyone wants for
there to be security and safety but this ban is overly broad and (was)
ridiculously implemented prior to there being a consultation with state and
local governments as to how they were going to go about implementing it.”

Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, along with many other U.S.
bishops, issued a statement regarding the executive order. "In his statement on the
Executive Order halting refugee admissions, Bishop Joe Vasquez, chair of the
Committee of Migration and Bishop of the Diocese of Austin, highlighted our
nation’s long and proud tradition of welcoming newcomers and refugees in a
humane manner, even as we
have pursued a strong vetting system to ensure our safety and security," the bishop said.

“I encourage
Catholics to contact our elected officials to make our voices heard: our
communities have been and will continue to be hospitable to refugees, in keeping
with our legacy of welcoming the stranger.

“Together, we also pray for comprehensive immigration reform and
for peace, safety and harmony within our nation and throughout the world,” he
said.

Late that afternoon, Kaine arrived at Dulles in support of the
protesters. In Blacksburg the night before, he met with residents who, through
Catholic Charities, welcomed a family of Syrian refugees into their community a
year ago. Another Syrian family that has been living in a U.N. refugee camp
since 2013, was scheduled to arrive this week.

“These are victims of the worst humanitarian crisis since World
War II,” said Kaine. “Now, their arrival may be in jeopardy.”